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Soldier's mom protests Afghanistan military extension

Royal 22nd Regiment soldiers line up in a drill hall as they leave for Afghanistan, Monday, November 15, 2010 at CFB Valcartier, Que. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, November 27, 2010 5:46PM EST

TORONTO - The mother of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan picketed outside Liberal MP Bob Rae's office on Saturday to urge the federal Conservative government to bring the troops home next year.

Josie Forcadilla is upset about the extension of a Canadian military presence in Afghanistan until 2014. The government announced this month that a contingent of troops will remain to train Afghan troops after the combat mission ends in July 2011.

"Whether the mission is combat or non-combat, the soldiers will still be at risk," she said, noting some of the 153 Canadian soldiers who have died in support of the Afghan mission were trainers.